PhD in English

The PhD is an opportunity to engage in advanced research. This research can be carried out in any area within the Faculty of Arts, provided that supervision is available and the research proposal and supervision arrangements are approved by the University. The PhD is by thesis only. It consists of supervised research work culminating in a thesis of approximately 80,000 words. Students meet regularly with supervisors to discuss research and writing in progress. In the first 'provisional' year of registration PhD students must meet the goals established for that year.

Research opportunities

Research areas include, but are not limited to:

New Zealand Literature

Maori and Pacific literature

Settlement studies

Postcolonial and Global literatures in English

Medieval and early modern literature

Shakespeare and Renaissance Literature

Eighteenth Century Literature

Nineteenth-century literature

Modernist and Contemporary literature

American Literature

Irish literature

Poetry

Drama

The Novel

Writing studies

Creative writing

Staff in English, Drama and Writing Studies have individual specialist research expertise in the following:

Women’s writing and Gender studies

narrative theory

literary and cultural theory

indigenous studies

evolution and literature

children’s literature

popular fiction

psychoanalysis and literature

Duration

The PhD is expected to be completed in three or four full-time years, although it may be possible to complete on a part-time basis.

Admission

The usual requirement is a master's degree with Honours (First Class, or Second Class, First Division) from The University of Auckland, or an approved equivalent qualification. You must also have demonstrated an ability to pursue doctoral level research. All candidates must submit a research proposal and obtain registration.